THE late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, who passed away on Monday, at age 84, will be missed by New York-based Guyanese and the Indian diaspora. Kalam-ji was well known among Indo-Caribbean people who visited India and interacted with him. He left a certain imprint on you.He spent time interacting with us at PBDs, at his official home, and at meetings and receptions in the U.S. I never met an individual like him before. He had such a gracious smile and was so engaging on varied topics. He was also impressed with the cultural retention of Indo-Caribbean people in North America, England and the Caribbean region. Dr. Kalam had such a positive influence on everybody. One literally falls in love with this non-political figure upon meeting him. Indo-Caribbean would remember him well. Kalam was the first Indian President to open Rashtrapati Bhavan to overseas Indians and many Indo-Caribbeans took advantage of his annual invitations at the PBD meets in Delhi. He hosted tea at the Presidential mansion during PBD (diaspora) conferences in Delhi for overseas participants and he spent a lot of time interacting with delegates at the five annual conferences when he presented national Samman awards; Bharrat Jagdeo,Yesu Persaud and Ashok Ramsaran were recipients of those awards.
I had the distinct honour of meeting him several times in India as well as in New York where he met with the diaspora on several trips. Indo-Caribbeans were invited for those receptions or conferences. Kalam-ji was very familiar with the lifestyle of Indians in Guyana and the Caribbean. I found him very charming and charismatic. His smile and cheerfulness made him the person one can look up to.
Dr. Kalam possessed a sharp wit and loved to engage people. Queried once about dreams, he said: “Dream is not what you see in sleep. Dream is something that does not let you sleep”. He dreams for the development and improvement of rural life.
He was a humanist, caring and compassionate person. He urged the diaspora to help in India’s development and gave moving speeches why the diaspora should make India’s development a priority. He also encouraged the diaspora to be proud of and contribute to the development of their host society.
Dr. Kalam was one of India’s most eminent scientists, presiding over India’s nuclear and missile testing, and encouraged local development of India’s defense and technological needs.
Kalam was nominated and voted in by the then ruling BJP Government in 2002 with his term ending in 2007. He was a unique head of state. Despite being a celebrated scientist and holding high positions as a Physicist and President, he was always accessible to everybody, regardless of one’s status in society. He actually gave out his e-mail address to the public – something no President or PM ever did. He treated everyone with utmost respect. Unlike other ruling politicians or leaders, he wanted to spend time with and be among people and was not one who cared for formalities or disruption of the lives of others to accommodate him. He lived a simple life, even when he was President, and did not want to be treated in any special way or looked upon as a better person than others. He did not want to be treated differently from others. He sat on simple chairs and rejected special food and material things.
He mingled with everyone from the bottom to the top of society and promoted equality among people regardless of ethnicity, religion and caste. He was called the Peoples’ President and was considered the most popular President in the history of India. Even after his term as President, people flocked to see and meet him at conferences all over the world to benefit from his intellect. He had a positive influence on people and was a terrific motivational speaker. One person commented about his striking answer to a question from a parent on to how to deal with corruption in India. He said: “Stop corruption in your house first and the country will change. Stop bribing your kids and teach them to earn their rewards and the country shall change.”
Kalam fully supported India’s defense system and testing of nuclear weapons but he felt defense should not stop development of the country. He advocated construction of rapid metro transport system around the major cities and the modernising of India. He also cared for the homeless and wanted the Government to take steps to provide shelters to all as well as to transform rural areas.
The Indian diaspora will miss his presence at conferences and his sharp wit at exchanges with him.

VISHNU BISRAM